Bills of interest to NH Fish and Game

This page includes brief summaries of selected bills of interest to the NH Fish and Game Department. If the NH Fish and Game Commission has taken a position on a particular bill, the position is shown. If written testimony is available, a link to same is included in the left-hand column. This list may also include some legislative proposals for which bill titles, links and full text are not yet available. Watch this page for updates.

Click on "Bill Docket" to get the most recent information about the bill's status.

Citizen participation: How can I help?

UPDATED: February 7, 2012

Bill #	Title	NHFG Commission position	HOUSE ACTION			SENATE ACTION			Chapter # / Effective Date
Bill #	Title	NHFG Commission position	Comm. & Hearing Date	Comm. Decision	Floor Decision	Comm. & Hearing Date	Comm. Decision	Floor Decision	Chapter # / Effective Date
HB514 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text Roll Calls	Title: relative to entry on private property This bill prohibits certain entry on private property for data gathering without a warrant or the written consent of the landowner.	OPPOSED	JUDICIARY		Passed/adopt w/amend	Waiting for Senate committee assignment
HB1132 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to fish and game laws concerning the Blue Mountain Forest Association. This bill repeals an exception to fish and game laws provided to the Blue Mountain Forest Association.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 01/31/2012 at 01:45 PM; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1156 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to preserving due process in all common law matters. This bill requires all criminal proceedings brought in any court of the state to be initiated by a grand jury investigation.	OPPOSED	JUDICIARY 01/10/2012 at 09:30 AM;	Com Rpt -ITL for 2/1	ITL
HB1185 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the police standards and training council. This bill specifies the rulemaking authority of the police standards and training council, requires governor and council approval of donations and grants made to the police standards and training council, and requires the percentage of penalty assessments currently dedicated to the police standards and training council training fund to be deposited in the general fund on and after July 1, 2013.	OPPOSED	ED&A 02/02/2012 at 10:45 AM
HB1212 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to resisting arrest. This bill specifies the circumstances under which a person may be charged with resisting arrest or detention.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 01/26/2012 at 02:00 PM
HB1219 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the definition of wildlife for purposes of regulation by the fish and game department. This bill provides that the term wildlife, as used in the fish and game laws, shall not include livestock in agricultural operations, and removes the authority to regulate certain agricultural operations.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 01/25/2012 at 01:00 PM; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1230 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: requiring a listing of state real property. This bill requires state agencies to make an annual report of all real property owned or leased by the agency.	OPPOSED	PW&H 2/7/2012 at 10:45
HB1244 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to firearms possession while trapping. This bill clarifies that restrictions on firearms for checking traps does not apply to carrying of firearms for self defense.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 01/24/2012 at 11:00 AM
HB1245 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the fee for retail dealer's licenses for lobster and crab. This bill removes the fee charged by the executive director of fish and game for issuing retail dealer’s licenses for lobster and crab.	OPPOSED	W & M 01/23/2012 at 01:00 PM; Exec Session 1/31 @ 2pm;	Com Rept - ITL
HB1265 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to criteria for the government regulation of occupations and professions. This bill establishes criteria for the regulation of occupations and professions by boards and commissions as authorized by law, and provides that an individual may engage in a legal occupation without being subject to laws that regulate the occupation or profession which are arbitrary, unnecessary, or substantially burdensome. The bill also creates a committee to determine the appropriate level of regulation for each occupation or profession.	OPPOSED	ED&A 1/17/12 at 1:30
HB1289 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to agreements between government units. This bill adds the state to the definition of public agency in RSA 53-A.	OPPOSED	M&CG 01/19/2012 at 2:45; Exec Sess 2/6/2012 11:00 AM
HB1318 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to carrying firearms. This bill: I. Permits any person who meets the requirements established in RSA 159:4 to carry a firearm openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, on or about his or her person or upon or in a vehicle. II. Removes, under certain circumstances, the requirement that nonresidents obtain a license to possess a firearm while in New Hampshire.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 01/24/2012 at 11:30 AM
HB1327 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to official oppression. This bill revises the offense of official oppression by making it either a class B misdemeanor or a violation, depending on whether a public servant acted with a purpose to benefit oneself or another or to harm another.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 02/16/2012 at 1:30
HB1332 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the law enforcement authority of fish and game conservation officers. This bill provides that conservation officers of the fish and game department may conduct a search based on probable cause rather than reasonable cause. The bill also provides that seized property shall be held at the state’s expense.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 2/2/12 at 10:15; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1333 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the revocation or suspension of a fish and game license for a conviction. This bill requires 3 or more violations of laws or rules within a 2-year period in order to revoke or suspend a fish and game license.	OPPOSED	F&G&M/R 02/2/12 at 10:45; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1334 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the suspension of a fish and game license by the executive director. This bill requires that a suspension of a license issued by the department of fish and game be made pursuant to notice and opportunity for a hearing by the executive director of fish and game.	MONITOR	F&G&MR 02/2/12 at 11:15; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1335 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the authority of the fish and game department to refuse to issue a hunting license. This bill provides that the fish and game department shall refuse to issue a hunting license only if the person is prohibited under federal or state law from possessing a firearm.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 02/2/12 at 11:45; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1336 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to reciprocity for nonresident trainers of hunting dogs. This bill clarifies the reciprocity requirement for restrictions applicable to nonresident trainers of dogs for bear hunting.	SUPPORT W/AMEND.	F&G&MR 01/25/2012 at 10:30 AM; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1337 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the enforcement of violations of fish and game laws, and establishing a committee to study the disposition of wildlife confiscated by the fish and game department. This bill provides that local and state police shall refer violations of fish and game laws to conservation officers of the fish and game department for enforcement. The bill also establishes a committee to study the disposition of wildlife confiscated by the fish and game department.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 01/31/2012 at 01:00 PM; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1339 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: prohibiting agreements to limit or reserve access to hunting, fishing, and trapping on private land. This bill prohibits a person engaged in hunting, fishing, or trapping from contracting for the limitation of access or the reservation of rights to enter private lands.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 01/25/2012 at 02:00 PM; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1341 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: repealing the provision relative to the unauthorized use of firearms in the compact part of a city or town. This bill repeals the statute prohibiting unauthorized use of a firearm in the compact part of a city or town.	MONITOR	CJ&PS 01/24/2012 at 01:00 PM
HB1392 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to oyster aquaculture licenses. This bill requires the executive director of fish and game to adopt rules for a multi-year license for oyster aquaculture operations in the Great Bay estuary.	MONITOR	F&G&MR 01/25/2012 at 09:30 AM; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1449 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: requiring a search warrant for searches of privately-owned property. This bill requires a search warrant for searches of privately-owned property.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 01/10/2012 at 1:30	Com Rpt -ITL for 2/1	Reccomit
HB1452 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: prohibiting the establishment of sobriety checkpoints. This bill prohibits the establishment of sobriety checkpoints.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 02/02/2012 at 11:00 AM	Committee Report: ITL for Feb 15 (Vote 12-1; CC)
HB1455 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to special licenses for taking lobster while engaged in recreational scuba diving. This bill allows the fish and game department to issue special licenses for non-commercial taking of lobsters while engaged in recreational scuba diving.	OPPOSED	F&G&MR 01/17/2012 ref to study comm.: Bulis, Watters & Doarte.Work session: 2/2/2012 at 1:15; Subcommittee Work Session: 2/14/2012 8:45 AM LOB 104; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1468 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to seizure of personal property. This bill prohibits the police from seizing personal property without a warrant.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 02/16/2012 at 10:00
HB1486 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: prohibiting the state from accepting federal funds that could be used to enhance the militarization or federalization of law enforcement. This bill prohibits the governor and council from accepting federal funds that could be used to enhance the militarization or federalization of law enforcement.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 01/17/2012 at 11:00 AM	Com Rpt -ITL for 2/1	ITL
HB1499 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to criminal coercion. This bill establishes the offense of criminal coercion.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 12/16/2012 at 10:30
HB1511 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to felons possessing firearms. This bill: I. Removes the prohibition on convicted felons possessing certain non-firearm weapons for self-defense. II. Allows possession of black powder weapons by convicted felons. III. Reduces the offense from a felony to a misdemeanor for a convicted felon who completes and signs an application for purchase of a firearm.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 01/19/2012 at 01:30 PM
HB1531 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to prosecution for victimless crimes. This bill creates an affirmative defense to any felony or misdemeanor if there was no victim of the crime.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 02/09/2012 at 1:00
HB1532 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to trespass on land which is not posted. This bill amends the criminal trespass statute in circumstances where the property is not posted with “no trespassing” signs.	OPPOSED	CJ&PS 02/02/2012 at 2:00
HB1540 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to conservation easements on public land. This bill prohibits the state or any of its subdivisions from granting a conservation easement on public land to a nonprofit organization.	OPPOSED	RR&D 01/24/2012 at 2:15	Committee Report: ITL for Feb 15 (Vote 16-0; CC)
HB1551 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	clarifying the liability of landowners, lessees, and occupants of premises who allow other persons to use the premises for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes or to remove fuel wood. This bill clarifies the liability of landowners, lessees, and occupants of premises who allow other persons to use the premises for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes or to remove fuel wood. *NOTE: This bill was requested by the Fish and Game Commission*	SUPPORT	F&G&MR 1/25/2012 @ 11; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1555 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the penalty for firearm use in a state area for propagation of game controlled by the fish and game department. This bill requires that the penalty for possession of a firearm in a state fish and game refuge applies only to a person who discharges his or her firearm for the purpose of taking wildlife.	MONITOR	F&G&MR 1/31/2012 at 10:15; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1581 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to procedures for arrest. This bill restricts the authority of law enforcement officers to make an arrest without a warrant.	OPPOSE	CJ&PS 01/19/2012 at 10:30; Continued Public Hearing: 2/9/2012 9:45 AM LOB 204
HB1646 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: prohibiting the taking of deer from baited areas. This bill prohibits the practice of baiting for the taking of deer, and also prohibits feeding deer during deer season with foods known to be attractive to deer. The bill allows the executive director to issue special permits using baiting.	SUPPORT	F&G&MR 01/25/2012 at 10:00; Sub Com Work Sessions – 1/31 @2:30 pm and 2/9/12 @9:30 am; Exec Session 2/14/12 @ 10:15
HB1669 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: requiring the deposit of dedicated fund revenues into the general fund for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years and requiring non-constitutionally established dedicated funds to be eliminated on June 30, 2015 unless reinstated by the legislature. This bill requires the deposit of dedicated fund revenues from non-constitutionally established dedicated funds into the general fund beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2015 and requires non-constitutionally established dedicated funds to be eliminated on June 30, 2015 unless reinstated by the legislature.	OPPOSED	Finance 01/26/2012 at 1:00; Exec Session – 2/7/12 @ 1:30
HB1694 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to driving under the influence of drugs. This bill changes the prohibition on driving under the influence of a controlled drug to driving under the influence of a drug.	SUPPORT	CJ&PS 01/25/2012 at 2:00; Exec Session 2/6/12 @ 10 am
HB1707 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to penalties for operation after revocation or suspension. This bill modifies the law that specifies enhanced penalties for driving after revocation or suspension for certain serious offenses by making those penalties apply when the revocation or suspension was for an equivalent offense in another jurisdiction. Those penalties would also apply to a person operating an OHRV or snowmobile.	SUPPORT	CJ&PS 01/25/2012 at 1:00	Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 2/8/12;
SB213 Bill Docket Bill Status Text [HTML] [PDF]	Title: relative to authority of state agencies to assess fines and penalties. This bill requires state agencies to issue a warning before imposing certain fines or penalties. The bill also requires agencies to waive first time paperwork violations.	MONITOR				ED&A 01/19/2012 at 9:00
SB224 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to lead fishing sinkers and jigs. This bill amends the definitions of “lead sinker” and “lead jig.” NOTE: And subsequently the sale of such sinkers and jigs.	MONITOR				E&NR 01/19/2012 at 09:00 AM
SB250 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to operation of ATVs and trail bikes on state lands. This bill adds specific exceptions to the evaluation criteria for the establishment of ATV and trail bike trails on state lands, and clarifies an exception for trail crossings and connectors.	SUPPORT				E&NR 01/12/2012 at 09:30 AM, recessed; reconvene 2/2 @ 9am
SB297 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to the apprentice hunting license. This bill makes certain hunters with bows eligible for an apprentice hunting license.	SUPPORT				E&NR 01/12/2012 at 09:30 AM	OTP	Passed and Adopted
SB366 Bill Docket Bill Status Bill Text	Title: relative to use of certain OHRVs on snowmobile trails. This bill provides for a snowmobile endorsement for OHRVs which use tracks, cleats or skis. *NOTE This bill was at the request of the Fish and Game Department.*	SUPPORT				TRANSPORT 2/2 @9:45